Turkey Claims Three Points in 2-1 Win Against Korea Republic

U-17 MNTDec 3, 2010

PHOENIX (Dec. 3, 2010) -- The Turkey U-17 Men's National Team rebounded to take a 2-1 victory against Korea Republic U-17 Men's National Team with a goal on either side of halftime in their second match of the 2010 Nike Friendlies at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix, Ariz.

The win gives Turkey four points after their draw with Brazil in the opening match and condemns Korea to the bottom of the table in the four-way round robin table with zero points after two games. Korea is the lone team that does not have an opportunity to win the tournament.

Turkey created the first clear chance of the afternoon when a cross from the left flank was met by the onrushing Beykan Simsek whose header skimmed off the top of the cross bar. The Koreans hit right back, though. On the ensuing possession their influential right back and captain Hwang Ju Hyun combined with the slippery Kim Seung Jun to earn the first of their team's seven corners in the match.

Korea's quickness and one-touch play were on display through the first half as they were effective on the counter when Turkey failed to keep possession. However, the Turks proved dangerous on set pieces, taking advantage of their height advantage in the box.

Not surprisingly, it would be from a set piece in the 32nd minute that Turkey found the breakthrough for the game's first goal. Central midfielder Okay Yokuslu was brought down about 23 yards from goal after a galavanting run through the heart of the Korean defense. His midfield partner Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up to lash a left footed, curling drive over the wall and past goalkeeper Ham Seok Min for the opener.

The Koreans, undaunted, bounced right back through Bang Chan Jun just three minutes later. Hwang Ju Hyun and Kim Seung Jun were again at the heart of the play, combining down the right. Kim Seung Jun found himself clear in the box to lay back to the onrushing Kim Min June, who struck a low, angled drive from just inside the area. Turkish goalkeeper Yusuf Mersein made a sprawling save to his right to keep the ball out but Bang Chan Jun was on hand to poke home the rebound from 3 yards and knot the score at 1-1.

The second half opened with renewed conviction from the European side, and their dominance in possession paid off in the 53rd minute. After winning two corners in a row, Mehmet Erkut Senturk stepped up to take from the right. His delivery found the head of a cutting Ibrahim Yllmaz, who powered his header past a helpless Ham Seok Min from eight yards.

Substitute Recep Niyaz would have a golden chance to double the Turkish lead in the 68th minute but could not direct his header on frame. The miss almost proved costly as the Koreans looked certain to equalize in the 77th minute when a low cross from the left was dummied by Bang Chan Jun leaving Kim Min June by himself on the right side of the area. The midfielder's shot beat Mersin but defensive substitute Aykut Guler cleared the ball off of the goalline to preserve the lead.

Turkey moves on to play the U.S. on Sunday, Dec. 5. The match will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel at at 5 p.m. MT.